Politics Chur gets a consumption room for drug addicts
The entrance to the drug consumption room in Chur. Drug addicts have to register here before they are allowed to enter the individual rooms.
Image: Keystone
The room for drug addicts has space for 25 people. The photo shows the room intended for those who inhale drugs.
Image: Keystone
"Chur Crack City". The graffiti is on a bench in the Stadtpark, the park in the heart of the city of Chur, where up to 50 drug addicts spend time every day.
Image: Keystone
The entrance to the drug consumption room in Chur. Drug addicts have to register here before they are allowed to enter the individual rooms.
Image: Keystone
The room for drug addicts has space for 25 people. The photo shows the room intended for those who inhale drugs.
Image: Keystone
"Chur Crack City". The graffiti is on a bench in the Stadtpark, the park in the heart of the city of Chur, where up to 50 drug addicts spend time every day.
Image: Keystone
After years of discussion and controversy, the first room for controlled drug consumption in the canton of Graubünden was unveiled in Chur on Friday. Those responsible and the authorities expect the first results in the next three months.
13.03.2026, 13:38
SDA
The room for controlled drug use and the drop-in center are expected to be in operation from March 30, said Chur city councillor Patrik Degiacomi (SP) at a media conference this morning. The aim is to stabilize the health of drug addicts and improve their quality of life. The aim is also to increase safety in public spaces.
The city has commissioned a company from Lucerne to evaluate the functioning of the drug consumption center in the long term. The first report should be available next spring.
Police want to increase their presence
In recent years, one of the largest open drug scenes in Switzerland has formed in Chur. On nice days, up to 50 people gather in the city park to consume and deal drugs.
"On average, we register five more users in the city park every year," explained city police commander Andrea Deflorin at an information event this week. The number of syringes found in parks and public toilets has also risen. In May last year, a peak of almost 400 syringes was reached in one month.
"We want to increase our presence in public spaces," the commander announced on Friday. As long as the consumption room is open, it will no longer be possible to consume and deal drugs in the Stadtgarten, where the drug addicts are currently located.
Space for 25 drug users
The consumption room offers space for a total of 25 people. Dealing in minimal quantities will be tolerated. One room is reserved for inhaling drugs, for example, while another room is intended for injections. The injection room is supervised by a medical assistant. Only persons of legal age who are resident in Graubünden have access to the center.
In addition to controlled consumption, the center also offers a contact point for drug addicts, who can receive medical care, food and drink, wash their clothes, wash themselves and sleep there.
The search for a location
Two years ago, the people of the Grisons capital sent out a clear signal: A space for controlled drug use is needed. In June 2024, 66% of voters in Chur approved the framework credit of CHF 3.88 million, even though the costs had quadrupled compared to the original estimates. The city had justified the decision with the change in drug use.
The city did not realize the project alone. Last summer, the Graubünden government approved a contribution of CHF 1.2 million for the renovation of the building. On Friday, City Councillor Degiacomi assured that the costs will be met. The management of the advice center and the premises was transferred to the association "Überlebenshilfe Graubünden".
